Momon-contbo



Sept.` 22, 1925.

J. W.` WATSON MOTION CONTBOLLING MECHANISM Filed Deo.

INVENTOR .N NNE WITNESS ATTORNEYS X-'H v Ti i l ententes 22,

gli uns: e

JOHN WAEREN XXTTSON, OF W'AYNE, EENNSYLVANIA.

TOYEON-CONTROLLING .MECHANISM.

Application filed December To all vifi/10m t may concer/n.'

lle it known that l, Joli-1N WARREN TirrsoL-J, a citizen oi the United States, and a resident oit llayne, in the county of Deli Ware andState oi Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful improveinents in Motion-Controlling Mechanism, of 'which the following is a specilication, ret'erence being had to the accompanying dravvings.

'.ifhis invention relates to a novel combination iter controlling, regulating or checking;l relative niovement in one direction between any two elements, and in particular r lates to median in inn -fl c i he sprung the too rapid separation betvveen and unsprung portions oi a vehicle and, in particular, a motor vehicle.

.i particular object oi? my invention is to provide a spring-controlled friction mechanism with spring-retaining` means tor maintaininrf; th l spring itself out ot contact With other relatively movable parts ot the mechanism. fr. iui'ther object ole my invention is to provide a bearing for said spring-retaining; means which is oi such proportions, and which is so associated with another partot the mechanism. as to insu re. tor longl periods ci .-:er\ic -.,themaintaining oi said spring` retainer in sulgistantially unchanged relation with one oi the cri-acting friction members.

rllo accomplish the above, in the embodiment sl'xoivn and described herewith, l include a drum member secured to one of tivo relatively movable elements, a 'friction membei' in contact with said drum member and secured to the other relatively movable element, a spring connecting,` said drum mem-- ber and said friction member, a retainer Ytor said spring, and novel and ample bearing` means tor maintainingi` said retainer in substantially comentric relation With said drum Yfor the above-menticned long periods ot ser vice.

Various combinations oi elements and ditterent means could he readily employed to obtain the results secured by the mechanism disclosed Without departing from the spirit and scope oi this invention, theillustrations herewith being` merely by v/ay ot example.

One embodiment ot this invention is shown by the ace inpanyino drawings in which Fig. l is sect-io. en line lll?) Serial No. 342,489.

Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a sectional view Online AA Fig. l.

Referringl to Fig. l, X and Y represent relatively movable elements, Whose motion, one relative to the other, it is desired to check, reo'ulate or control. rlhese elements are illustrated merely diagrammatically for the purpose of indicating that this invention may be applied and utilized in connection with various combinations of elements which move, one relatively to the other, and Whose movement it is desired to effectively/control.

A drum member 3 is carried by the element X and is secured thereto by any suitable means such as by cap screvvs 4. Extending from the drum member 3 is a stud 5. Secured to this stud 5, as for example by the pin 6, is a springl 7. The other end of spring` '4"' is secured to a spring retainer or housing S by any suitable means such as, for example, by a rivet Si. Springi retainer 8 is tree to rotate with relation to drum member 3. lit' desired, 'tor the purpose ot minimizing Wear between spring` retainer 8 and drum member T5, or lor minimizing i'riction and hence facilitr-.tingl the relative rotation oi these members, a bushing or liner l0, ot any suitable material, may be interposed. as illustrated. As illustrated in the present embodiment, springretainer S is provided with an outwardly extending flange ll to which is secured, as tor example by riveting, a stud or pin l2. Secured to this pin l2, in any suitable manner as, for example, by merely looping over it, is a strap member 13, which is also secured to a friction member le by means of rivets l5. Friction member i4; may be provided with 'a backing 18, as shown, it desired, for the purpose of additional strength or iler the purpose of ilexibly maintaining any `.given curvature to nieniber le.

also secured to 'friction member l-i as, for eiiian'iple, means oi rivets l5 is apower transmitting' member or strap iti, which trap is secured also to element Y. Spring reainer 8, in the embodiment here illustmted, is also provided with an inwardly trending 'rianne 17. This flange serves to 'ita'., in tneir respective correct positions, the parts above referred to. None oi the parts can slide ofi the drum Without pushing flange il before them, and flange il cannot be so pushed because flange l?, as illustrated, is almost immediately in contactvfitli one or more edges oit the inner coiivolutions ol spring- T and can go no .tailther. Cover member 2O secured to drum member by any suitable means, such as, igor example, by screws 2l. ri"his cover ineinber 20 is provided With a slot or Window tor the passage of strap 1G.

The drum member 3 and the i'iriction member il constitute one type ot co-actingl friction members, although it is apparent that these members may be made in any other shape than that ot a purely cylindrical drum and a split ring, and relatively associated iii various other ivays than that just descri Id, and still incorporate therein the essentials ot my invention. vWhile l have here illustrated but one form of spring retaining means and have shoivn but one example ot' associated the springv retaining means with the drum member, it will nevertheless be apparent that these members may be made in any other shapes than those illustrated, and may be relatively associated in various other Ways, and still incorporate therein the essentials ot my invention.

As attached, in the present instance, to elements X and Y, the invention is operative to retard or control the relative separation ci: these elements without rctarding their relative approach. It is believed that the operation ot' the device, as shown in the present instance, will require no enplanation. To those skilled in the art, it will be readiiy understood that upon the approach et elements .K and Y, the spring;` 7 will immediately act to revolve it'riction member M around drum 2i in a coiiiitei-clocli\vise din rection and will, at the same time, wind up the vstrap .lo upon 'friction member 14 to whatever extent the approach ot elements X and Y permits. The separation oi'f elements X and Y would be retarded by the friction betvveen member M and drum This triction, of course, is augmented by the strength of spring` T Which holds baclt, in the opposite direction, on member lil. in the embodiment shown, the strength of spring 'i' may be advanced or retarded by Quarter revolutions according to the placing' ot pin t3 in stud ifi/"hilo i have illustrated and described a pre erred loi'in oi construction tor carrying my invention into eliect, this is capable variations and modi tications Without detin from the spirit ot the invention. i, ore, do not Wish to be limited to the precise details ot construction set forth, but desire to avail myself ot such variations and inodiiications as come vrithin the scope oi the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

in mechanism tor retarding' motion betvseen tivo relatively movable elements, a drum adapted to be sec red to one ot said elements. a 'friction member in contact with said drum and adapted to be connected to said other element, a springso associated 'with said drinn and said friction member as to tend to relatively move them in one direction, a rctaner for said spring and a lyeariiifC iter said retainer, said bearing being ter in diameter than the smallest conrolution ot said spring.

2 in mechanism or retardinl motion beveen tivo relatively inovabie elements, a Ium adapted to be secured to one of said i tri-:tion member in contact ivith and adapted to be connected to s d element, a spring so associated i said drinn and said 'friction meinbe to relatively move them in one n, a retainer ier s id spring and a said retainer, said bea 'ing` being ide diameter ot said retainer and ent oi said friction member.

3. in mechanism for retarding motion betvreen tivo reiativcly movable elements, a drum adapte( to be secured to one ot said elements, a friction member in contact with said drum and adapted to be connected to said other clement, a spring so associated With said drum and said trictioninember as to tend to relatively move them in one directioii,r a ci ruiiil'erential re"iinei' 'tor said spring and a bearing; 'for said retainer L st said drum and independent ot said friction member.

et. in mechanism 'lI r retardingl motion between two relativ/el)Y movable elements, a drinn member adapted to be secured to one of said elements, a friction member in contact with said drum member and adapted to be connected to said other element, a sprino' so associated with said drum member and sai l friction member as to tend to relatively move them in one dir vction, a retainer i r said spring` and a bearing Jfor said retainer against the drum portion ot' said drum incinber and independent ot said tion member.

in mechanism 'for retarding motion between ivo relatively movable elements, a drum member adapted to be secured to one ion member in conmember and adapted to other element, a spring' said drum ineiiib'er and it en .is to tend to relatively move them in one direction, a retainer for said n a bushing', independent ot said 'ition member, interposed between said retainer and the drum portion oi" said drum member.

6. In mechanism tor retarding motion between tivo relatively movable elements, a drinn member adapted to be secured to one ot said elements, a itriction member iny contact with said drum member and adapted to be connected to said other element, a spring' so associated with said drinn member and said trict-ion member as to tend to relatively move them in one direction, a retainer 'for said spring` and a bearing, independent ot said friction member, tor said retainer, said retainer being maintained in snbstanH tially concentric relation with said drinn member by a surface oi' the drinn portion of said drinn member.

ln mechanism ior retarding' motion bee tween two relatively movable elements, a drinn adapted to be secured to one oi said elements, a friction member in contact with said drinn and adapted to be connected to said other element, a spring connected to said drinn and to said 'friction member, i'neans for n'iaintaining` said spring ont of rul'ibiirg` contact with said drum, and a bearingl ior said means against a surface of said drinn but independent of said friction member.

8. ln mechanism for retarding motion bctween two relatively movable elements, a drinn adapted to be secnredto one oi said elements, a friction member in contact with s 'l drinn and adapted to be connected to said other element, a spring;- connected to said drum and to said ilriction member, a retainer for said spring, andv a single bearing' independent ot said tion member l'or niaintaiiiing said retainer in substantially concentric relation with said drum.

9. ln coinbinatitni, for the purpose et rorarding relative motion between two relatively movable elements, a cylindrical member adapted to lie secured to one of said elements, a friction member in Contact with I id cylindrical member and adapted to be connected to said other elen'ient, a spring so associated with said two members as to relatively move them in one direction, means 'lor maintaining); the onter conif'olntion ot said sin-inf; within pre-determined limits rerdless of the extent to which said sie-ring may be wound up or nnwonnd, and a bnshinl-fi' independent of said friction member for i ntaining; said sprinQj-limitin,e` means in substantially concentric relation with said cylindrical member.

l0. in mechanism 'tor rctardingrelative motion between two relatively movable elenicnts, a cnryed member adapted to be sccured to one ot said elements, a friction member in Contact with said curved member and adapted to be connected to said other element, a spring` for relatively moving` said members, a substantially cylindrical. housine` for said spring and a bearing for said housing, on the cylindrical surface oi said housing.

ll.. ln mechanism for rotar-ding motion between two relatively movable elements, a

drum adapted to be secured to one ot sa elements, a triction nicnibei i Contact vl as to tend to relatively more them direction, a ilanged retainer "for said and a bearingtor said retainer reni drum but independent ot member.

l2. ln mechanism tor retardingl motionr between two relatively movable elements, a drinn member adapted to be secured to one of said elements, trictiojfi member in contact with said drinn member and adapted to be connected to id other element, a spring* associated with said drinn member and said Afriction member as to tend to relatively them in one direction, a Vflanged rcainer 'tor said spring and a bearing-tor said retainer against the drinn portion ot said drinn member but independent ot said triction member.

ln i'nechanism tor retarding relative motion between two elements, two eo-actinp; friction men'mers adapted to be connected r lspectively to said elements, a spring so associated with said i'nembers as to relatively move them in one direction under ire-determined conditions, a snbstantially7 :ylindrical double-flanged retainer i'or said spring and a bearing, independent oi' said 'triction in ber, 'for said retainer.

i4. in inechanisn'i for retardiun relative motion between two elements, a drinn adagtn ed to be secured to one oi' said elements, a strap adagted to be connected to said other element and positioned about the drum spring operative to keep said stra; tant while said elen'ients approach each other, a one-piece housing;` for said spring movabl with a portion thereof and a bee-ringl inde- 1,rendent ot said 'friction i'ncn'iber, 4tor said lionsin.

l5. ln mechanism for retail-ding,` relative motion between two elements, a drum with means tor attachment to one ot said elements, a friction member in contact with said drinn, a strap attached to said friction member and means for connecting; said strap to said other element, a spring for moving` the/friction member around the drinn, a substaniially cylindrical retainer 'tor said springt.' and a bearing` bushing` on the ontside ot said retainer but independent ot said :friction i n en'iber.

i6. ln mechanism for retarding motion between two relatively movable elements, a drinn member adapted to be secured to one ot said elements, a friction member in contact with said drum member and adapted to be connected to said other element, a spring so associated with said drum member and said friction member as to tend to relatively move them in one direction, and means strnc- "ally independent of the friction member, Vported by the drinn portion of said member as to maintain the travel of oiiteriiiosiv ends of said spring siibstanconcentric with said drinn member.

in mechanism for retarding motion between tivo relatively movable elements, drinn member adapted to be secured to one of said elements, a friction member .in contact ivith aid drinn niemeer and adapted to be connected to said other element, and a i ie' so associated ivith said drinn member l friction member as to tend to relaiove them in one direction, the outerd of said spring being so supported .l i dentlji' of the friction member by the :riin portion of said drinn member as to end to travel in substantially con- Aation v-.iitli said drinn portion.

onlbi aiion, a cylindrical member, mcnib partially surrounding al member, a spring VJositively connecting said tivo members and tending te revolve the friction member around the indifical member in one direction, a inember so associated With said spring as to hold the oiiter end of said spring away from contact with said cylindrical member, and a single bearing independent of said friction member for said member capable of nainitaining the relative positions of said member ano said cylindrical member.

ln combination, a cylindrical meinber, a friction member, partially surrounding said cylindrical member, a spring positively connecting said tivo members and tending to revolve the friction member around the cylindrical member in one direction, a member so associa-ted With said spring as to hold an end portion of said spring avvay from contact with said cylindrical member, and a single bearing independent of said friction member, capable ot maintaining the relative positions of said spring-holding member and said cylindrical member.

20. ln mechanism adapted for use in connec-tion with tivo relatively movable elements for checking their relative motion in one direction, a drinn adapted to be sei-iired to one of said elements, a` flexible member, a friction member, in the form ot' a split ring, in contact ivitli said drinn and ad;` Vted to be connected to said other clef nient by the Aflexible member, a spring so associated ivitli said drum and said friction member as to tend to rotate said friction member around said drinn and also to ivind said liexible member upon said friction member, said flexible member being at tiicbcd to said friction member at a point thereon which makes it possible for the device to operate throughout its Working range withoiit necessitating that said flexible member be ivoiind said friction memhir beyond the gap in said friction memlcr, means for holding an end portion .ot said spring out ot contact with said drinn and a single bearing irdependent of said friction member for maintaining, ivith relation to said drinn, the rotative position ot said last-mentioned means.

Q1. ln mechanism for retarding motion between .tivo relatively movable elements, a drinn member adapted to be secured to one of said elements, a friction member in the forni of a split ring in Contact ivith said drinn member and adapted to be positively connected to said other element, a spring so associated *ith said drum member and said friction member as to tend to relatively move them in one direction, and means independent of the friction member for niaintaining` the travel of the outermost end of the spring substantially concentric vvith said drum member.

22. ln mechanism for controlling the recoil of a vehicle spring, the combination of a fixed drinn, a revolvable drum, a spring Within said revolvable drum for revolving it one direction, a flexible member connected to said revolvable drum for revolving it in the opposite direction, and a friction-governing liner nien'iber inside of the ixed drinn and between said fixed drum and the revolvable drum.

2B. ln mechanism for controlling the re'- coil ot a vehicle spring, the combination o'l'l a fixed drum, a revolvable drinn supported by said tixed drum, a spring connected to said revolvable drinn for revolving said drinn in one direction, and a iiexible membcr connected to said revolvable drinn for revolving said drum in the opposite direction, the pressure between said drums being less and hence there being less frictional resistance to the revolifing of said revolvable drinn when said drinn is revolved by the spring than ivlien said drinn is revolved by the flexible member.

524-. ln mechanism for controlling the recoil of a vehicle spring, the combination ot' a fixed drum, a. revolvable drinn supported by said fixed drinn, a spring connected to said revolvable. drinn for revolving said drinn in one direction. a fiexible member connected to said revolvable drinn for revolving said drinn in the opposite direction, and a liner member interposed between said driiiii nieiiibcrs, said liner member being iinder less compression and hence offering less frictional resistance to the revolving of said revolvable drinn When said drum is revolved by the spring than when said drum is revolved by the flexible member.

25. In combination, a ciindrical member, a. friction member, partially surrounding said cylindrical member, a spring positively connecting said tivo members and tending to revolve the friction member around the fifi cylindrical member in one direction, a fourth member' eo associated with said spring` as to hold the outer end or said spring` away from contact with said cylindrical member, ard a single l'riearing for said Yfouth men'iber capable oit maintaining the relative positions of said fourth member and said cylindrical member.

ln combination, a cylindrical member, a iriction member, partially surrounding said cylindrical member, a Spring positively connectingv said tvvo n'iembers and tending,` to revolve the Llfriction member around the cy* lindrical member in one direction, a fourth member so associated with said spring as to hold an end portion ot said spring,` away from contact with said cylindrical member, and a single bearing,` for said Yfourth member capable of maintaining,` the relative posi tions of said fourth member and said cylindrical member.

2i'. in mechanism adapted for use in con nection with two relatively movable elements 'for checking their relative motion in one direction, a drum udaoted to be secured to one oit said eleinents, a 'flexible member, a friction member, in the form of a split ring, in contact with said drum and adapted to be secured to said other element by the llenible member, a spring so associated with said drum and said friction member as to tend to rotate said 'friction member around said drum and also to Wind said flexible member upon said friction member, said flexible member being attached to said friction member at a point thereon which makes it possible for the device to pei-ate throughout its working range Without necessitating that said iloible member be wound upon said friction nxember beyond the rap in said friction member, means for holding` the outer end oi? said spring out ol' contact with said dr in and a single bearing capable of' maintaining, with relation to said drum, the rotative position of said lastmentioned means.

ln n'iechanisn'i adapted 'for use in connection with two relativelg,Y movable elenients ttor checking their relative motion in one direction, a drum adapted to be secured to one oit said elen'ients, a 'flexible member, a friction member, in the form of a splitring, in contact with said drum and adapted to be secured to Said other element by the iexible member, a spring so associated With aid drum and said friction member as to tend to rotate said Afriction member around said drum and also to Wind said flexible member upon said friction member', said flexible member being` attacned to said friction member at a point thereon which makes it possible tor the device to operate throughout its working rango Without necessitatingl that said flexible member be Wound upon said friction member beyond the gap in said friction member, means for holding an end portion oi" said spring out of contact With said drum and a single bearing,l for main taining, with relation to said drum, the ro tative position of said last-mentioned means.

ln witness whereof, l have hereunto set my hand this second day of December, A. D. 1919.

JOHN WARREN WATSON. 

